How do you pray?
From the birth of each of our three daughters, I prayed over them, before them and with them.
I prayed over them often, but most frequently as I exercised each morning. When I knew she had a test, I would pray a few minutes before she started the exam. When she was stressed about friendships, I would pray when she would interact with those friends.
As we drove in the car and heard sirens, I prayed aloud with the line of girls in the backseat.
We would clasp hands in the living room, praying together for a request one carried home in her heart from school.
Tucking littles into bed, each received a story and then a prayer before we turned off the light.
Before school in the mornings, they each knew to pause at the door for prayer before stepping outside.
As they aged and would excitedly prepare for a date, there was a prayer before going out. One daughter told me “Pre-date prayers are the best.”
I am sure I missed many opportunities over the years for praying over them or before them or with them.
God doesn’t demand perfection, just persistence in attempted obedience.
He instructed us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to “pray without ceasing.”
As a parent, you probably feel that is the only way to make it through the day! It’s also a great practice for our children to experience growing up.
What we do is worth much more than what we say.
I recall the heart-sigh of relief as each daughter made her faith her own. When each said to me, “I have prayed about this.”
While it’s meaningful to pray over something together, it was a significant step when each felt she could go to God on her own.
There was a season when I did not pray nearly as often with the girls, or even on my own. The girls noticed.
When we resumed our family talks with God, things were righted again.
How about you? Do you feel comfortable going to God on your own? Maybe it’s been a while since you poured out your heart to God. He’s still there, patiently waiting. It’s never too late to talk to Him. Regardless of where you are in the parenting timeline, it’s never too late to pray over, before, and with your children.
If it’s been a while, or if you realize it hasn’t been a practice, no worries. God has grace to cover that. Remember, He doesn’t demand perfection, just persistence in attempted obedience.
When you pray to God, conversing and handing cares to Him, you will notice changes. When you pray over and before and with your children, they too will see the difference. If your kids are resistant to prayer, talk to God about that too. He’s in the business of changing hearts.
Wherever you are in this practice, will you join me in prayer that we draw closer to Him?
Prayer: Dear God, Thank You for authoring prayer, a way to come directly to You. Thank You for wanting to carry our daily burdens. Please help me draw near to You. Please help me lead others to You, so they too, can learn to pray to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.